Being stuck at home all day every day, it is easy to fall into a vicious cycle of snacking and poor eating habits. And eating out of boredom is a whole different monster, something many of us can relate to.

The goldfish and Oreos seem like a really good idea at the moment, but maybe now, given the opportunity, it’s time that us teenagers try and improve our eating habits one snack at a time.

Now, this doesn’t mean cutting out all processed food, going vegetarian, and not eating a single snack. We are human, and sometimes the only thing that sounds good is chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. But making the conscious decision to try and put the right fuel into your body can be done at the same time.

Junior Maggie Bruce has used this time to become more aware of her eating habits. While not having the opportunity to exercise via school sports and activities because of our given situation, Maggie makes time in her schedule to work out to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But not only is exercise important, but also how she is choosing to fuel her body.

“I’ve been trying to spend this time at home really conscious about making sure I’m drinking enough water and staying hydrated.”

It is easy to not be aware of needing to drink water and to choose the more appealing option of soda or juice, especially when it feels like there is no reason to eat or drink healthy. But maintaining healthy eating habits can allow you to not only feel good but be productive and not fall into a quarantine slump.

However, finding motivation and the right way to do so can be difficult. So I decided to put together a list of ways you can try and maintain or improve healthy eating habits while in quarantine.

1. Try and cut down on late-night snacking. It seems like a good idea at the moment but can lead to you feeling slow and bloated the next morning. Try making time every night to cut off from snacking. For example, I have tried to stop eating by 10 PM every night. But also remember, it is okay to not follow this every night, just as much as you can.
2. Eat small meals throughout the day. I know a lot of us are waking up later than normal, but try not to let this cause you to skip meals. If you are consciously eating small meals throughout the day it might prevent that late-night feast.
3. Be aware of when you are eating because you are bored, not because you are hungry. I have found myself a number of times getting up and going to the pantry a short time after I have eaten, just because I was bored. If you are aware of when you are doing this, you may be able to stop yourself and find something else to do.
4. Balance unhealthy and healthy snacks. Yes, it is important to eat healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables, but it’s also okay to eat unhealthy snacks like goldfish or chips here and there. Just try and maintain a balance, if you feel like your choices have been on the unhealthy side all day, then maybe go for some carrots and ranch or a banana.
5. Drink water and stay hydrated, especially if you are working out a lot and doing e-learning. If you are dehydrated, you will feel tired, slow, and unable to focus. It is so important to keep drinking water throughout the day and will leave you feeling better in the long run. Try and fill up a reusable water bottle in the morning and make a goal to finish it at least once every day.

These tips might not work for everyone, and that’s okay, but being aware of your eating habits and trying to make a healthier decision, although difficult, is always important. These are just some tips that other students, along with myself, have found useful. Stay safe and healthy everyone!